A 22-year-old man accused of making a threat that caused the death of two Fort Bliss soldiers a year ago is scheduled to go to trial on Tuesday on two counts of murder.

At the time of his arrest, Tyrone Head was an Army specialist stationed at Fort Bliss. He is accused of threatening Craig Allen Graham, 30, during a confrontation outside of the Fussion nightclub in Central El Paso on Jan. 15. That confrontation allegedly sparked the fatal shootings of Army Pvt. Damien W. Bailey and Pvt. Preston Brown, both 21.

The nightclub, which was at 4304 Dyer St., has since closed.

According to a state district court grand jury indictment, Head threatened Graham with "bodily injury" and shot at him during the confrontation, causing Graham to fire his own weapon.

REPORTER

Adriana M. Chávez

At the time, police said Graham allegedly shot Bailey in the chest. Bailey was pronounced dead at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Brown, who was shot in the head allegedly by Graham, died about a week later at University Medical Center.

Graham is also accused of shooting Head in the torso. Graham has been held at the El Paso County Jail Annex without bond since the shootings for allegedly violating his probation, which stemmed from a previous felony conviction.

Police arrested Head following his indictment in April, and he has been incarcerated at the El Paso County Jail since then. His bond is set at $500,000.

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At the time of the shooting, Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, commander for Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division, said he had been told there was a dispute inside the club, possibly because someone asked a woman to dance.

It is not known if Graham will testify against Head during the trial.

Head's trial will take place in the 384th District Court before Judge Patrick Garcia. If convicted, Head faces five to 99 years in prison on each murder charge.

He most likely would serve each sentence concurrently, or at the same time.

A trial for Graham, a former member of the military, is scheduled for April 5.

Adriana M. Chávez may be reached at achavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6117. Follow her on Twitter @AChavezEPTimes

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